Dry Needling

What is dry needling?

Dry needling is an outpatient procedure that treats pain and other musculoskeletal problems. During treatment, your Kinetic Sports Medicine and Rehab provider inserts sharp, thin needles into trigger points (muscle knots) beneath your skin.

Stimulating trigger points with needles increases blood flow to the area. This draws oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to the treatment site and releases endorphins (your body’s natural “feel good” chemicals) into your brain. After dry needling treatment, your muscles relax, relieving pain and promoting healing.

Which musculoskeletal problems can dry needling treat?

The Kinetic Sports Medicine and Rehab team uses dry needling to treat various musculoskeletal problems, including:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Knee pain
• Sports injuries
• Auto accident injuries
• Joint problems
• Intervertebral disc injuries and diseases
• Repetitive stress injuries (carpal tunnel syndrome and others)
• Tendinitis

Sometimes, the team uses dry needling to treat jaw and mouth problems, including teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

Can anyone undergo dry needling treatment?

Dry needling is safe and usually well-tolerated, but it isn’t for everyone. Tell your Kinetic Sports Medicine and Rehab provider if you’re pregnant, have a compromised immune system, or take blood thinners. Also, let them know if you underwent recent surgery. After getting a complete picture of your health, the team makes personalized recommendations.

What happens during dry needling treatment?

During dry needling, you lie on an exam table. Whether you lie on your stomach or back depends on where the muscle knots are that are being treated.

Once you’re in position, your Kinetic Sports Medicine and Rehab provider cleans the treatment site. They use their fingers to locate the trigger points (muscle knots) beneath your skin. 

After finding each trigger point, they carefully insert thin, sharp needles. Once placed, the needles sit for two seconds to 20 minutes, depending on where and how severe your trigger points are.

It’s normal to experience muscle soreness and twitching after the needles are placed. This means that the treatment is working. At the end of the session, your provider removes the needles and recleans the treatment site.

What is recovery like after dry needling?

After dry needling, mild bruising and soreness at each treatment site are normal. Drink plenty of water and rest for the remainder of the day. The soreness usually improves within 1-1½ days, but the bruises can last a week or longer.

Call Kinetic Sports Medicine and Rehab today to schedule a dry needling consultation, or book your appointment online.